Professional Communication Multiple Choice Questions on “Grapevine and Consensus”.
1. Which of these is a type of informal communication?
a) Reports
b) Orders
c) Instructions
d) Grapevine
Answer: d
Clarification: There exists in every organization an informal channel, often called the grapevine, that does not arise out of the organizational needs but is an integral part of the communication system.
2. Rumors spreading in any organization follow the grapevine.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. Rumors that are all time spreading in any organization follow the grapevine. It follows no setlines, nor any definite rules, etc.
3. Which of these is not a type of grapevine?
a) Gossip
b) Probability
c) Rope
d) Cluster
Answer: c
Clarification: Grapevine is classified into four types. They are: single strand, gossip, probability and cluster.
4. Which of these is not a type of grapevine?
a) Double strand
b) Single strand
c) Gossip
d) Cluster
Answer: a
Clarification: Grapevine is classified into four types. They are: single strand, gossip, probability and cluster. There is no such type as double strand.
5. Which of these involves the passing of information through a long line of people?
a) Cluster
b) Single strand
c) Gossip
d) Probability
Answer: b
Clarification: The single strand involves the passing of information through a long line of people to the ultimate recipient.
6. Which of these grapevine chains is random?
a) Single strand
b) Cluster
c) Probability
d) Gossip
Answer: c
Clarification: The probability chain is a random process in which one transmits the information to others in accordance with the laws of probability and it goes on.
7. Which of these is the most common type of grapevine?
a) Gossip chain
b) Single strand chain
c) Probability chain
d) Cluster chain
Answer: d
Clarification: In the cluster chain, one tells selected people who may in turn relay the information to other selected individuals. This the most common type of informal communication.
8. The grapevine provides feedback to the management.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. The grapevine provides feedback to the management. It enables them to know what the subordinates think about the organization.
9. Which of these is not a limitation of grapevine?
a) Distortion
b) Slow process
c) Incomplete information
d) Damaging swiftness
Answer: b
Clarification: The grapevine has three major limitations: distortion, incomplete information and damaging swiftness. A grapevine spreads baseless or distorted news and the information is usually incomplete. The swiftness with which the grapevine transmits may even be damaging.
10. Which of these is not a type of effective listening?
a) Discriminative listening
b) Evaluative listening
c) Irritated listening
d) Appreciative listening
Answer: c
Clarification: Effective listening is of four types. They are: discriminative listening, evaluative listening, appreciative listening and empathetic listening.
11. Which of these should be avoided for effective listening?
a) Patience
b) Politeness
c) Talking
d) Attentiveness
Answer: c
Clarification: For effective listening, stop talking. Listen attentively and patiently. Put the speaker at ease and be polite.